Chapter 474: Internal Combustion Car

Hongwu Twenty-Third Year, the ninth day of the third month.

Spring in Yingtian Prefecture arrived earlier than in previous years.

The willows along both banks of the Qinhuai River had just sprouted new buds, and a few early-blooming peach blossoms, pink and white, floated on the water, drifting with the current.

On the stone-paved road by the bank, pedestrians were woven together: peddlers carrying loads, women leading children, and youths riding bicycles.

Bicycle.

This thing began to become popular in Yingtian Prefecture last year.

Two wheels, a frame, pedals linked by a chain—push them and it runs.

Someone from the Ministry of Works said it is called "bicycle," a blueprint the Prince obtained from the White-bearded Old Man; it was built around Hongwu Twenty-First Year, but never mass‑produced.

Last year the method for extracting petroleum was obtained, and rubber was sufficient, so large‑scale production finally began.

"Make way, make way!" a teenage boy rode his bike through the crowd, a wooden box clamped to the rear seat bearing the words "Shunfeng Express."

It was a newly established courier trade from last year, dedicated to delivering parcels; riding a bicycle from Yingtian Prefecture to Suzhou takes two days, much faster than a carriage.

At the entrance of Wu Wang Fu, a black sedan slowly stopped.

The vehicle's body had an iron shell, four wheels, and an internal combustion engine at the front, burning gasoline refined from petroleum.

This thing is far smaller and faster than a steam car; from Yingtian Prefecture to Xuzhou, over six hundred li, it can be covered in a day.

The door opened, and Zhu Biao stepped out of the car.

He wore a moon‑white formal robe, a jade belt at his waist, and his hair was meticulously combed.

The thirty‑eight‑year‑old Crown Prince had a clear, handsome face, a hint of authority in his brows, yet his smile was still that warm, jade‑like elder brother from years past.

"Second brother!" he shouted, striding into Wu Wang Fu.

In the courtyard, Zhu Yong was squatting on the ground, teaching Zhu Qiongwu to ride a tricycle.

The tricycle was a modification of the bicycle: one wheel up front, two wheels behind, stable and suitable for children.

Four‑year‑old Zhu Qiongwu wore a blue little robe, a small bun atop his head, pedaling crookedly forward; Zhu Yong held the seat from behind, sweating profusely.

"Father, let go, I'll ride myself!" Zhu Qiongwu called back.

Zhu Yong released his grip, the tricycle lunged forward a few steps, tilted, then steadied.

Zhu Qiongwu pedaled faster and faster, circling the courtyard several times, finally stopping before Zhu Biao, looking up and grinning, "Uncle, look—I can ride now!"

Zhu Biao bent down, patted his head, and laughed, "Qiongwu, impressive—better than your older brother when he was a child; your brother could ride only at five."

Zhu Qiongwu puffed out his little chest proudly and pedaled the tricycle away.

Zhu Yong stood up, took the towel handed by Guanyin Nu, wiped his sweat, and asked Zhu Biao, "Brother, why have you come?"

"Imperial Father sent us into the palace, saying the Ministry of Works received a new batch of items and wants you to see them," Zhu Biao said, sitting on the corridor, accepting the tea handed by Zhu Huanhuan.

Zhu Yong nodded, changed his clothes, and left the door together with Zhu Biao.

Two vehicles were parked at the entrance: Zhu Biao's black sedan and Zhu Yong's dark‑colored off‑road vehicle.

The off‑road vehicle was a size larger than the sedan, with a higher chassis and wide tires, designed specifically for long‑distance travel.

Last year Chang Yuchun returned from America, driving this contraption all the way from Guangzhou back to Yingtian Prefecture—over six thousand li—in about half a month.

The two brothers got into the cars; the driver ignited the engine, the roar of the internal combustion engine sounded, and the two vehicles, one ahead of the other, drove out of the alley onto the cement road.

Yingtian Prefecture's streets were twice as wide as two years ago.

The cement roads radiated from the city center to each gate, and from the gates to every county town and prefectural seat.

Construction that began in Hongwu Twenty‑First Year took over two years, completely rebuilding all official roads within six hundred li around Yingtian Prefecture.

Plane trees lined both sides of the road; beneath them were sidewalks where pedestrians walked, bicycles rode below, and cars in the middle—orderly and neat.

"Second brother, the petroleum extraction method you brought back last year has been adopted by the Ministry of Works; now not only cars but also trains burn oil, and steam engines are gradually falling out of favor," Zhu Biao said, looking out the window with a hint of sentiment.

Zhu Yong nodded, recalling the attendance register of the Spring Festival day in Hongwu Twenty‑Second Year.

Petroleum extraction and processing—crude oil drawn from underground, then distilled, cracked, reformed—turns into gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and asphalt.

A complete set of techniques, crystal clear.

With petroleum, the internal combustion engine truly found its use.

Cars, trucks, tractors, ships, and trains all employed it.

"Brother, where do the trains reach now?"

"Lanzhou, connected at the end of last year; from Yingtian to Lanzhou, a three‑day train ride, more than twice as fast as before. Further west, the line to Tie Mu Er's city is more than half completed; it should be open next year."

Zhu Yong nodded…

The railway reaching Samarkand made travel from Yingtian Prefecture to Tie Mu Er's city convenient.

When the vehicles arrived at the Imperial City, the Wu Gate guards saw that they were the Prince's and the Crown Prince's cars and hurriedly opened the gates to let them pass.

The two vehicles stopped in front of Fengtian Hall; Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao got out and walked toward Qianqing Palace.

Inside Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang stood before a massive map.

The map had been presented by Zhu Yong in Hongwu Third Year; over twenty years had passed, the paper was yellowed, the corners torn, yet the lines remained clear.

From Yingtian Prefecture westward, it was drawn all the way to Europe, to Lisbon, then further west across the Atlantic to America; from America further west lies the Pacific, and beyond the Pacific is Australia.

Now, most of those places have been replaced with Great Ming flags.

"Father…"

Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao entered, bowing properly in order.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned, looking at his two sons.

He was sixty‑four this year, his hair mostly white, the wrinkles on his face deeper, yet his vigor remained, his eyes still sharp.

Since taking the Strength Pill in Hongwu Twenty‑Second Year, his body has become much sturdier; his back no longer aches, his legs no longer hurt, and he walks as if with the wind.

"Yong Er, you've arrived just in time, look at this…" Zhu Yuanzhang gestured.

Zhu Yong walked over and took the folded document handed by his father.

The report was sent by Chang Yuchun from America, stating that the Inca Empire's Gold and Silver had been fully counted: 400,000 taels of gold and over 3,000,000 taels of silver, and they are being shipped to Great Ming.

It also said that a railway on America's west coast has already begun construction, running from Mexico City in the north southward all the way to Lima, over two thousand li, estimated to be completed in three years.

"General Chang is doing well in America," Zhu Yong handed the report to Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao took it, read it once, and laughed: "Chang Shu is a man who excels in war and also in road building. Imperial Father, I think we should grant Chang Shu a higher title."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said: "Add, confer the title of Duke of Zhen Guo on Chang Yuchun, and make Lan Yu the Marquis of Dingyuan. Draft a report, and later we will approve it."

Zhu Biao responded with a single word.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned, looked at the large map on the wall, and suddenly asked: "Yong Er, how much of the world remains unconquered?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said: "Father, Europe has been conquered, America has been conquered, Australia has been conquered, the South Sea has been conquered; what remains are Africa, and the North Pole, the South Pole and those places."

"Africa... where is it on the map?"

Zhu Yong walked to the map and pointed to the vast continent south of the Mediterranean Sea.

"Here, Africa, larger than Europe, lies across the Mediterranean Sea opposite Europe; to the south is the Cape of Good Hope, to the east is the Indian Ocean."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at the blank continent, was silent for a moment, then said: "All must be conquered; Great Ming's territory must expand to the edge of the sky."

Zhu Yong said nothing in response.

The matter of Africa is not urgent; first secure Europe and America before proceeding.

Leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao headed toward the Ministry of Works.

The Ministry of Works office is on the south side of the Imperial City, not far from the Ancestral Temple, and is a courtyard with three gates.

The stone lions at the entrance are polished to a shine, and the two gilt characters 'Ministry of Works' on the lintel glitter in the sunlight.

Just as Zhu Yong reached the doorway, he saw Song Li emerging from inside.

The old man was in his sixties, his hair completely white, yet full of vigor, dressed in fourth‑rank official robes, and walked with a brisk, wind‑like stride.

Seeing Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao, he hurriedly knelt and paid his respects.

"I, Minister of Works Song Li, have the honor to see Crown Prince Prince, have the honor to see Prince Zhen Guo Prince."

Zhu Biao helped him to his feet, laughing: "Minister Song, no need for formalities; I heard the Ministry of Works has received a new batch of items, take us to see them."

Song Li's eyes brightened, and he promptly led the way.